Chapter 10

The road, or what was left of it, sloped gently upwards. He could just make out a pathway where trees had yet to sprout from the old asphalt. Just as he approached the location marker, the road took an aggressive turn up and to the left onto a flat hilltop. Zark climbed warily, finding footing with the help of his flashlight.

The hilltop was relatively clear, save a few stunted broad leafed plants. Zark stood at the edge of the hill, slowly panning the area before him with his flashlight. He jumped when the flashlight landed on the back of a humanoid figure. It was Ellis. His dark, short hair was unmistakable. Ellis stood immobile, staring blankly out into the wilderness.

“Ellis?”

He didn’t respond. Zark approached. Ellis stared unblinking into the endless woods.

“Ellis, what are you doing?”

Ellis answered quietly, his eyes remained fixated forward.

“It’s dangerous ahead,” he said unconcerned.

Zark shone the flashlight in the direction Ellis was looking. There was a small foot trail continuing deeper into the woods.

“You shouldn’t do that,” Ellis added.

“What?” Zark responded. “Ellis, where is Lena?”

Ellis spoke, quiet and monotonous, “Your light will draw unwanted attention.”

“From what?” Zark asked angrily. “Where’s Lena?”

“Turn off the light, Zark,” he said.

“Tell me where she is!” He gave Ellis a sharp punch on the shoulder.

Ellis did not react, but instead stated, “She is unreachable.”

Zark shone the light back to the small path and walked towards it.

“ZARK,” Ellis commanded, “DO NOT GO THAT WAY.”

Zark turned to face Ellis. “Listen, I came here to find her. If she went this way, then I’m going!”

“You cannot go that way. You must return to Zedd. Now.” Ellis’s voice was stern. Zark had never heard Ellis speak so strongly.

“Ok then. You wait here, but I’m going in to look for her.”

“Zark, if you go that way, there is a high probability you will not return.”

“What?” Zark was confused, “Why?” He aimed his flashlight down the path. It looked no more treacherous than any other part of the forest he had seen on his way in.

Ellis failed to answer his question. Frustrated, Zark took a step onto the path. He heard movement behind him. Ellis paced directly towards him.

“My priority is to stop you from continuing beyond this point,” he said, as he closed in on Zark.

Zark backed further down the path, his eyes locked on Ellis.

“Have you even tried looking for her?” Zark cried, “Or have you just been standing there this whole time? What were you waiting for?” Zark felt unease creeping up his chest.

Ellis’ pace quickened.

“ZARK. STOP. NOW.” Ellis bellowed. Ellis’ eyes flared a violent red.

Zark recoiled at the sight, and ran down the path away from Ellis. Ellis then gave chase. Holding tight to his flashlight, Zark moved as quick as he could, darting under low branches and hurdling thick roots that reached from the ground. Ellis was fast, but he was not as agile as Zark. Zark penetrated further and further into heavy forest. Ellis was heavy-footed, and Zark could hear him close behind, crushing fallen branches and crashing through limbs with no regard. With a quick glance, Zark could see the glowing red of Ellis’ eyes in the dark as he struggled to keep up.

Zark ran until his sides split with pain. He rounded a wide corner in the path and found himself some ways ahead of his pursuer. He ducked off the trail down a hill and concealed himself beneath brush that had accumulated at the bottom of a ravine. He did his best to hold his breath as he waited for Ellis to pass. Ellis never came.

Zark waited for a full five minutes. His heart rate slowed as well as his breathing. Ellis never appeared, and Zark heard no footsteps.

Carefully, Zark crept back to the path, not daring to use his flashlight. He looked back down the trail from where he’d come, expecting to see those terrible eyes staring directly at him through the brush. There was nothing. He listened. The woods remained silent, broken only by the sound of a low, howling wind through the treetops.

He slunk back off the path and opened his map, cupping the light with his hands. Insects swarmed his celltab screen. He realized he could cut through the woods on this side of the footpath and get back to the main road near where his bike was parked.